UxGE Local Debates in Brussels, BE

On 19th February 2025, in Brussels (Belgium) from 17:30 to 19:30 CET Out of the Box International hosted the UxGE Local Debates Event where the United for a Green Europe project (UxGE) was overviewed and further discussed the project’s future activities at local level bringing dialogue, reflection and debate among young people, analysing the main environmental problems & challenges and reflecting on the role of youth in building a greener, more inclusive and sustainable Europe.

This event had as a main aim to create a space for meeting, dialogue, debate and reflection between young people, youth leaders, youth workers, and experts on sustainability, inclusive societies and environmental protection, based on principles of leadership, critical thinking, active participation and environmental protection.

The discussion was concealed for participants to reflected on their own experience in their local communities and how important youth involvement is in the conversation regarding the digital and green agenda, as well as how to intertwine these priorities areas to support sustainable cities with the goal of building a better future in Europe. An active debate was provided in small groups, creating a safe and meaningful space for participants to exchange different points of view. Additional efforts were made to trigger reflexional processes and critical thinking on topics related to environmental issues. Participants actively engaged in the conversation, providing thoughtful discussions and fruitful reflections.

Finally, participants acknowledged that it is crucial to develop key competencies in young people who are willing to become youth leaders, such as leadership, critical thinking, and active participation to increase young people’s relevant position in the future direction of sustainability and environment in Europe; There is a perception of discontent with decision-makers, showing concern due the current geopolitical tensions and the impression that policy-makers are not really aligned with the needs and interests of citizens. Therefore, activities like this one are now more fundamental than ever to foster active participation of young people in democratic life and in society as well as to ultimately, vehicle civil society organisations (CSOs) to bring closer citizens to the work done at multilevel of governance from local to European level in decision-making.